"Lavatories cannot be used below 16k feet on this plane"???
Jul 26, 2019, 5:52 pm
#1
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"Lavatories cannot be used below 16k feet on this plane"???
Currently on AA1311 and tried to use the lav after boarding (no restroom near gate) and was told by an FA, "the lavatories on this plane don't work under 16k feet, you can't use it, there should have been an announcement at the gate." There was no announcement and I've been on plenty of 737-800s before that haven't had this restriction. Is this crew just petty and full of BS?
I don't fly American a whole lot, but have each of the past few weeks due to work trips to DFW, CLT and MIA, but I'll keep connecting through ATL or ORD and stick with DL/UA if this is SOP.
I don't fly American a whole lot, but have each of the past few weeks due to work trips to DFW, CLT and MIA, but I'll keep connecting through ATL or ORD and stick with DL/UA if this is SOP.
Jul 26, 2019, 6:09 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2019
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Quite possibly they aren't BSing you. There are a few threads around here about it. Not exactly sure for 738's but it may be similar.
Did'ja know that A320 toilets don’t flush til you hit 16,000 feet???
They weren't B-S-ing you...differential pressure is what drives the flushing of the toilets on many airplanes. On the ground (or below 16,000 feet for the A320), you dont have enough of a differential pressure so a vacuum generator is used on the A320 to produce the required pressure differential. In this case, it sounds like the vacuum generator was inop, but once you reach 16000 feet (according to Airbus for the A320 family aircraft), the 'normal' differential pressure would be enough to enable the toilet to flush...
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
http://www.smartcockpit.com/docs/A32..._and_Waste.pdf
Jul 26, 2019, 6:17 pm
#4
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Quite possibly they aren't BSing you. There are a few threads around here about it. Not exactly sure for 738's but it may be similar.
Did'ja know that A320 toilets don’t flush til you hit 16,000 feet???
Did'ja know that A320 toilets don’t flush til you hit 16,000 feet???
Jul 26, 2019, 6:18 pm
#5
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Currently on AA1311 and tried to use the lav after boarding (no restroom near gate) and was told by an FA, "the lavatories on this plane don't work under 16k feet, you can't use it, there should have been an announcement at the gate." There was no announcement and I've been on plenty of 737-800s before that haven't had this restriction. Is this crew just petty and full of BS?
I don't fly American a whole lot, but have each of the past few weeks due to work trips to DFW, CLT and MIA, but I'll keep connecting through ATL or ORD and stick with DL/UA if this is SOP.
I don't fly American a whole lot, but have each of the past few weeks due to work trips to DFW, CLT and MIA, but I'll keep connecting through ATL or ORD and stick with DL/UA if this is SOP.
I've been on flights where the lavs were inop on the ground and below a certain altitude because the system used to flush is based on pressure, which doesn't work on the ground, and the vacuum system normally used on the ground was broken.
Jul 26, 2019, 6:19 pm
#6
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He has the lavs physically locked. Now, I could easily pop the plate and unlock them, but not worth the fight. Though I would love to be deplaned right now, at least there are restrooms in the terminal.
Jul 26, 2019, 6:39 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I have seen these stories on FT and they are all strange to me. I have flown just as many aircraft types/carriers as the rest of you and not once have I ever seen this happen IRL. There are "always" people using the lav before door close on most aircraft. This just doesn't make sense to me. Even the Mad Dog can "flush" on the ground..
Jul 26, 2019, 6:39 pm
#8
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Why assume that the crew is giving you BS? Why assume it is SOP? When the most logical explanation is a mechanical fault with the particular aircraft?
I've been on flights where the lavs were inop on the ground and below a certain altitude because the system used to flush is based on pressure, which doesn't work on the ground, and the vacuum system normally used on the ground was broken.
I've been on flights where the lavs were inop on the ground and below a certain altitude because the system used to flush is based on pressure, which doesn't work on the ground, and the vacuum system normally used on the ground was broken.
Jul 26, 2019, 7:03 pm
#9
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737-NG’s have a vacuum system to pull waste to a tank in the back. Below a certain altitude (13K if I recall correctly), a blower motor is used to create the vacuum. Above that altitude, the difference in pressure between the outside and pressurized cabin creates the vacuum. Sounds like the vacuum blower motor was INOP and it is acceptable for it to be per the MEL (Minimum Equipment List).
Jul 26, 2019, 8:14 pm
#10
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737-NG’s have a vacuum system to pull waste to a tank in the back. Below a certain altitude (13K if I recall correctly), a blower motor is used to create the vacuum. Above that altitude, the difference in pressure between the outside and pressurized cabin creates the vacuum. Sounds like the vacuum blower motor was INOP and it is acceptable for it to be per the MEL (Minimum Equipment List).
Jul 26, 2019, 8:26 pm
#11
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Jul 26, 2019, 8:59 pm
#12
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Then why wasn't the OP told the lav is INOP below 16K feet because of a MX issue, not that you cannot use the lav on this aircraft below 16k feet because that is how it was built? That makes a world of difference. Was this announced thru the PA system for the kettles in back who tried to use the lav as well and did they experience the same response? This whole thing sounds like a MX issue that was not told to passengers.
Jul 26, 2019, 9:11 pm
#14
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Then why wasn't the OP told the lav is INOP below 16K feet because of a MX issue, not that you cannot use the lav on this aircraft below 16k feet because that is how it was built? That makes a world of difference. Was this announced thru the PA system for the kettles in back who tried to use the lav as well and did they experience the same response? This whole thing sounds like a MX issue that was not told to passengers.
OP choose to interpret it as this is how it was built.
It was a MX issue.
It happens. No need to make a huge deal of it, IMO.